MANILA, Philippines–Defending champion National University secured the top seeding in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament on Sunday.

The Lady Bulldogs notched their 11th win in 13 games, after cruising past eliminated Ateneo, 25-16, 25-15, 25-21, behind reigning MVP Bella Belen.

READ: UAAP: NU gets ‘fun’ back, regains winning ways

NU coach Sherwin Meneses, Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, and Lams Lamina after securing the twice-to-beat advantage. #UAAPSeason87 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/ocvOU0ZE6M

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Belen finished with 16 points from 12 attacks and a pair of blocks and aces on top of 10 excellent digs and 13 excellent receptions. Alyssa Solomon returned from injury and chipped in 12 points.

“Napaka-halaga na healthy yung team mo lalo na pa-semis na, mahihirap na yung games so kung healthy yung team mas malaki yung chance na makuha yung panalo,” said NU coach Sherwin Meneses, whose squad also claimed the first twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four.

“Super excited na makasama sila ulit lalo na nung kanina sa game. Pinakita lang namin kung ano yung pinagt-trainingan namin nung mga nakaraang araw,” Solomon said. “Very happy na nakabalik.”

READ: UAAP: Minus Alyssa Solomon, NU draws boost from Aishat Bello

Erin Pangilinan also benefited from player of the game Lams Lamina’s 17 excellent sets and added 11 points.

“Hindi naman kami hihinto porket nakuha na namin yung twice-to-beat so may last game pa kami sa eliminations so kailangan pa namin puliduhin kung ano yung mga naging lapses namin this game,”Belen said as NU surrendered nine more errors than the Eagles.

Lyann de Guzman and AC Miner each had nine points but the Blue Eagles’ string of losses stretched to four games as they dropped to a 4-9 record.

NU wraps up the elimination round against University of Santo Tomas on April 27 after the Holy Week break.